I remember doing aerobics here and there during gym class in high school. I always looked forward to it more so than the usual competitive sports. Many years later, I started working on our health by changing my eating habits and working out.

And, of course, I could not stop checking out Jane Fonda. The 80-year-old actress had impeccable posture, svelte legs, strong arms—how did a woman several decades older than me look this good? “Didn’t she once have some sort of gym empire?” I thought. Vague images of her in leg warmers suddenly popped up in my mind. But... why is Jane Fonda's Workout still the best? Let's have a look!

A FITNESS LEGACY

In the 80s, gyms were mostly dominated by men. This prompted Fonda to create a series of workout lessons to encourage stay-at-home ladies to get into shape. She wrote her first workout manual Jane Fonda’s New Workout in 1981. When it was spotted by Stuart Karl in New York, he contacted Fonda with plans to make a home workout video. This began the empire of Jane Fonda workout DVDs which helped people all over the world lead healthier and more active lives.

PLENTY OF FITNESS OPTIONS

A STYLE ICON

Her style evolution (like her life) is vast. It would take far too long to track it all in depth (however, the podcast You Must Remember This does a phenomenal job if you are interested in Jane's full journey).

From her bright eyed days gracing the covers of Vogue, where she made head scarves, gloves, and classic Christian Dior-style dresses effortlessly casual, to her time in Paris with Roger Vadim in shift mini dresses, smoky cat eyes, knee high.

One of the most notable and iconic era of Jane Fonda’s evolution is arguably her 1980’s reinvention. It's been name-dropped in rap songs, inspired modern athleisure and our fitness obsessions... I’ve even started looking into buying some new exercise clothes, and I’m this close to (yes, really) getting a neon legging. If Jane can do it, so can I.

AND OF COURSE... A SOCIAL ACTIVIST LEADER